3¢
Dull purple or purple
Triangles in Corner
Subject: Andrew Jackson
Number issued: 20,000,000
Perforations: 12
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: 253
Issued: September 27th, 1916
Used
$1 - $3
No postmark with gum (MH)
$10 - $25
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$60 - $115
The earliest recorded date of use of #253 is October 20th, 1894
#253 was issued with the following plate #'s
44, 46-48 ( 400 subject plates )
91, 95, 103, 107 (200 subject plates)
As this was the Bureau of Printing and Engraving contract a small triangle was cut into the design at top left and top right in order to distinguish this printing from the earlier 1890 series
To me, this is the best era of advertising covers. Monochromatic covers such as the one shown above can command prices in the $150-$200 range.
The design was taken from the portrait bust of Andrew Jackson by Hiram Powers. Now at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
253-E1a
Large Die Essay on India
Die sunk on card
253-E2
Large Die Essay on India
Die sunk on card
DARK VIOLET
253-E1a
Large Die Essay on India
RED VIOLET
253-TC1
Trial color proof printed on India
253-P2a
Small die proof on card from the Panama proofs
253-P1
Large Die Proof on india paper mounted on card
253-TC1
Large Die Trial Color Proof on India Die Mounted on card
253-P2
Small Die Proof on India
On card
253-P2a
Small Die Roosevelt Album Proof